Guest Post By: Kelly Balarie Don’t doubt the power of your mind. This football-sized mass has the power to create and recreate everything in your life. This is why Jesus tells us not to conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. If we renew our…
Lust or Pride?
What can take down a strong man of faith? King David and his son Solomon are two of the most revered men of faith, and rightfully so. David, named a man after God’s own heart, was awe-inspiring in his faith throughout his life. Solomon, the wisest man ever, knew what to ask of God. There…
One Stone At A Time
Sighing, the prophet surveyed the site before him. Never had he imagined the City of David would look like this: Desolated. Devastated. Destroyed. What was even worse was the poverty afflicting the people: Physical poverty. Emotional poverty. Spiritual poverty, How could this happen? Nehemiah knew God. He also knew the city needed rebuilt. This was…
Trusting God to Bridge the Gap
When faced with a new task what is your general approach? Do you take anything and everything offered, or do you rely on what you already know? David’s answer to that question might surprise you. While a young man, David, as instructed by his father, left his sheep and went to visit Saul’s army, checking…
Be Light in the Dark
A small light flitted in front of my face, switching off a second after I noticed it. I smiled a moment later as I glimpsed another. Then another. Those tiny bright lights turned off and on with predictable regularity, if you knew where to look. As I watched the fireflies, (a favorite summer bug here…
He Calls Me By Name
He roused himself, still groggy from the unplanned afternoon nap. His half-open eyes registered the dark, glass bottle. Somewhere, through the hazy stupor, a rising panic punctured his heart. He’d broken his promise. Again. He guiltily glanced at the coffee table. Yep, his worn, leather-bound Bible lay right there in plain sight. Why hadn’t he…
You KNOW
With an agonizing cry, he stumbled into the room, sinking to the bed. No Lord, this can’t be. But after hours of tears streaming frustration and pain from deep inside him, he knew somehow, yes, yes it was. Sitting up in the now-darkened room, he resisted turning the dial of the nightstand lamp. The sun…
Beauty Begins in Winter
Here in the Midwest, winter seems to have lingered much longer than usual. In late April we still had a few snow days! As the days began to lengthen, our temperatures did not rise. Working in a public school, the students’ depression was palpable. Everyone needed to see spring. But now, after waiting months and…
Hearts Melting…
Have you ever been on a long, arduous journey you were certain would never end? It’s easy to imagine the Israelites feeling that way: by the time Joshua took over leadership, they were all physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Joshua began his time with a much-needed pep talk: “Above all, be strong and very courageous…
Deciding to be Deciduous
Do you know what deciduous means? “Falling off at maturity,” and ” falling away (of a part) after its purpose is fulfilled. We admire beautiful buds bursting into bloom during spring. We appreciate the shade of green leaves on a hot summer day. We bask in the bounty of color during autumns’ glory. In short,…